LTRING
New member
Hello to all. I have never been a participant on an internet forum before...but after finding and reading this forum, I decided it was time to take the plunge!
A little about me:
58 years old professional. Active. Traveler. Adventurer.
And the recipient of the gift that keeps on giving...a bicuspid aortic valve. It was first discovered in my mid 40's when my heart murmur detected for the first time. Watch and wait for the last 12 years. Now, calcification of the valve (I'm at .8 cm2 surface area) and aneurysms (4.5-4.7) at both the root and the ascending aorta require corrective surgery. The surgeon will throw in bypasses if necessary (just had angiogram...results pending).
I am going to have the Bentall procedure...replacing the valve and the affected aorta.
I have never had surgery before, and since my mom died of 'elective' surgery to correct an abdonminal aneurysm, this whole ordeal has me scared.
But I know it needs to be done...so life goes on.
I have found myself struggling with the tissue vs. mechanical dilemma. I am 90+% resolved to go tissue. I suppose I am banking on the future...that when my bovine valve needs replacing, they can do so with a much less invasive procedure other than OHS.
Anyway, that's the situation in a nutshell. It is quite heartening to hear from those of you that have gone through this 'adventure' (as a friend of mine calls it....)....
Happy to hear your thoughts...experiences...insights. Pre and post surgery...
Thanks to all!
________________
2/6/17 - Bentall procedure. UC Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA. Dr. Nilas Young, surgeon.
A little about me:
58 years old professional. Active. Traveler. Adventurer.
And the recipient of the gift that keeps on giving...a bicuspid aortic valve. It was first discovered in my mid 40's when my heart murmur detected for the first time. Watch and wait for the last 12 years. Now, calcification of the valve (I'm at .8 cm2 surface area) and aneurysms (4.5-4.7) at both the root and the ascending aorta require corrective surgery. The surgeon will throw in bypasses if necessary (just had angiogram...results pending).
I am going to have the Bentall procedure...replacing the valve and the affected aorta.
I have never had surgery before, and since my mom died of 'elective' surgery to correct an abdonminal aneurysm, this whole ordeal has me scared.
But I know it needs to be done...so life goes on.
I have found myself struggling with the tissue vs. mechanical dilemma. I am 90+% resolved to go tissue. I suppose I am banking on the future...that when my bovine valve needs replacing, they can do so with a much less invasive procedure other than OHS.
Anyway, that's the situation in a nutshell. It is quite heartening to hear from those of you that have gone through this 'adventure' (as a friend of mine calls it....)....
Happy to hear your thoughts...experiences...insights. Pre and post surgery...
Thanks to all!
________________
2/6/17 - Bentall procedure. UC Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA. Dr. Nilas Young, surgeon.